Hendrikus Cornelis Jacoba Vrienten, also known as Henny Vrienten, was born on July 27, 1948, in Hilvarenbeek, and was a Dutch singer, composer, guitarist, bassist, and pianist best known as the lead singer and bassist of the iconic Dutch pop band Doe Maar. He developed a passion for music at an early age and performed with several bands before rising to national fame in the 1980s. After joining Doe Maar in 1980, he helped transform the group into one of the most successful and influential bands in Dutch music history. Their blend of pop, ska, and reggae produced numerous hit songs and albums that remain classics in the Netherlands. Following the band's breakup, he established a successful solo career and became a respected composer for film, television, theater, and musicals. Vrienten released several solo albums, including Geen Ballade (1984), Mijn Hart Slaapt Nooit (1992), En Toch... (2014), Alles Is Anders (2015), and Tussen De Regels (2019). He also collaborated with many artists and was a member of the trio Vreemde Kostgangers alongside Boudewijn de Groot and George Kooymans. Beyond performing, he composed music for films, television series, and stage productions, earning recognition as one of the Netherlands’ most versatile musical talents.
